Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently affiliate their IPTV devices with various service providers and manage such affiliations directly from a second display device instead of going to a separate affiliation website. The second display could be a smart phone that can often be found beside the user, a laptop or tablet PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently register and manage their IPTV device directly from a second display device instead of going to a separate registration website. A typical current situation requires the user to either leave the living room for the PC which is inconvenient or perform the registration directly on the IPTV which often has a poor input interface. The second display could be a smart phone that can often be found beside the user, or a laptop or tablet PC, a desktop PC, or the like. After registration, certain convenient follow-up features can be implemented, such as directly selecting the device for browsing, or inheritance of configurations of other available devices for the newly-registered device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently register and manage their IPTV device directly from a second display device instead of going to a separate registration website. A typical current situation requires the user to either leave the living room for the PC which is inconvenient or perform the registration directly on the IPTV which often has a poor input interface. The second display could be a smart phone that can often be found beside the user, or a laptop or tablet PC, a desktop PC, or the like. After registration, certain convenient follow-up features can be implemented, such as directly selecting the device for browsing, or inheritance of configurations of other available devices for the newly-registered device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently affiliate their IPTV devices with various service providers and manage such affiliations directly from a second display device instead of going to a separate affiliation website. The second display could be a smart phone that can often be found beside the user, a laptop or tablet PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently affiliate their IPTV devices with various service providers and manage such affiliations directly from a second display device instead of going to a separate affiliation website. The second display could be a smart phone that can often be found beside the user, a laptop or tablet PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently enter search terms and other commands for control of their IPTV device directly from a second display device using voice commands. Such is particularly convenient when the second display is a device such as a smart phone or tablet computer with limited display space for user data entry.

Abstract: E-commerce techniques, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology, provide an improved buying experience integrated with the television viewing experience. A multimedia system for implementing the e-commerce techniques includes a two way communication system such as a set top box, display device and remote controller. The set top box and display device are used to present enhanced content including one or more offerings to users. The users can use the remote control to complete a purchase transaction for one or more of the offerings.

Abstract: E-commerce techniques, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology, provide an improved buying experience integrated with the television viewing experience. A multimedia system for implementing the e-commerce techniques includes a two way communication system such as a set top box, display device and remote controller. The set top box and display device are used to present enhanced content including one or more offerings to users. The users can use the remote control to complete a purchase transaction for one or more of the offerings.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently enter search terms and other commands for control of their IPTV device directly from a second display device using voice commands. Such is particularly convenient when the second display is a device such as a smart phone or tablet computer with limited display space for user data entry.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently affiliate their IPTV devices with various service providers and manage such affiliations directly from a second display device instead of going to a separate affiliation website. The second display could be a smart phone that can often be found beside the user, a laptop or tablet PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently register and manage their IPTV device directly from a second display device instead of going to a separate registration website. A typical current situation requires the user to either leave the living room for the PC which is inconvenient or perform the registration directly on the IPTV which often has a poor input interface. The second display could be a smart phone that can often be found beside the user, or a laptop or tablet PC, a desktop PC, or the like. After registration, certain convenient follow-up features can be implemented, such as directly selecting the device for browsing, or inheritance of configurations of other available devices for the newly-registered device.

Abstract: A method for determining transfer rate comprising selecting a first transfer rate of a plurality of transfer rates, transmitting a message at the first transfer rate over a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) line of a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) network, determining whether an acknowledgment to the message having been transmitted at the first transfer rate is received, storing, in the event the acknowledgment to the message having been transmitted at the first transfer rate is received, the first transfer rate and storing, in the event no acknowledgment is received, a default transfer rate of the plurality of transfer rates.

Abstract: A method for determining transfer rate comprising selecting a first transfer rate of a plurality of transfer rates, transmitting a message at the first transfer rate over a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) line of a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) network, determining whether an acknowledgment to the message having been transmitted at the first transfer rate is received, storing, in the event the acknowledgment to the message having been transmitted at the first transfer rate is received, the first transfer rate and storing, in the event no acknowledgment is received, a default transfer rate of the plurality of transfer rates.

Abstract: A method for determining transfer rate comprising selecting a first transfer rate of a plurality of transfer rates, transmitting a message at the first transfer rate over a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) line of a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) network, determining whether an acknowledgment to the message having been transmitted at the first transfer rate is received, storing, in the event the acknowledgment to the message having been transmitted at the first transfer rate is received, the first transfer rate and storing, in the event no acknowledgment is received, a default transfer rate of the plurality of transfer rates.

Abstract: A method of storing digital video content to facilitate trick play consistent with certain embodiments involves storing inter-coded frames of the content in a first file and storing intra-coded frames of the content in a second file. A set of forward indices are used to address the intra coded frames in a forward direction such that playback of the second file in the order of the forward indices simulates a fast-forward playback. A set of reverse indices are used to address the intra-coded frames in a reverse direction such that playback of the second file in the order of the reverse indices simulates a fast-reverse playback. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of operation of a personal video recorder (PVR) involves receiving and storing a plurality of commercial advertisements forming a part of a stream of program content at the PVR; receiving and storing metadata associated with the plurality of commercial advertisements at the PVR; storing an index to the one or more commercial advertisements at the PVR; ascertaining that the end of the stream of program content has been reached; as a result of the ascertaining, using the stored index to retrieve metadata associated with the one or more commercial advertisements; building a menu of commercial advertisements from the retrieved metadata for the advertisements; generating a signal that displays the menu to the user and provides the user with an option of viewing the commercials; if the user chooses not to view the commercials, ceasing to generate the signal that displays the menu; if the user chooses to view a commercial, then receiving a selection of a commercial advertisement that the user wishes to view

Abstract: An apparatus for default encryption of content for distribution, consistent with certain embodiments, has a conditional access system. A conditional access management system communicates with and manages the conditional access system. A memory stores default encryption information for use by transmission equipment containing content encryption capability to encrypt certain content upon a communication failure between the content encryption system and the conditional access management system controlling it. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract without departing from certain embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A method of processing content in a video on demand (VOD) system consistent with certain embodiments of the invention, wherein the content is identified by a first set of packet identifiers (PIDs), involves receiving content, the content having marked packets designating packets that are to be encrypted by a first encryption system by setting an encryption flag for all packets designated to be encrypted. Packets are selected in the content according to a selective encryption selection criterion to produce selected packets. The selected packets are duplicated to produce duplicate copies of the selected packets and these duplicate copies are identified using a second set of PIDs. The duplicate copies identified by the second set of PIDs are inserted into the content. All encryption flags in the content are cleared except for the selected packets having the first set of PIDs, so the encryption to follow is selective.

Abstract: E-commerce techniques, in accordance with embodiments of the present technology, provide an improved buying experience integrated with the television viewing experience. A multimedia system for implementing the e-commerce techniques includes a two way communication system such as a set top box, display device and remote controller. The set top box and display device are used to present enhanced content including one or more offerings to users. The users can use the remote control to complete a purchase transaction for one or more of the offerings.

Abstract: A method for determining transfer rate comprising selecting a first transfer rate of a plurality of transfer rates, transmitting a message at the first transfer rate over a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) line of a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) network, determining whether an acknowledgment to the message having been transmitted at the first transfer rate is received, storing, in the event the acknowledgment to the message having been transmitted at the first transfer rate is received, the first transfer rate and storing, in the event no acknowledgment is received, a default transfer rate of the plurality of transfer rates.